In view of the upcoming expiration of the New START treaty in the near future, particularly in 2026, the U.S Congress is reportedly planning ways to restore the capability of B-52H bombers of the United States Air Force (USAF) to carry and deliver atomic bombs. This initiative is part of defense policy bills currently being considered in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, expected to take effect by 2025.
The decision is driven by growing U.S concerns over the trajectories pursued by its two main geopolitical competitors, namely China and Russia. China is actively expanding its nuclear arsenal, while Russia has suspended its participation in the START treaty amidst its involvement in the war in Ukraine, prompting the United States to strengthen its nuclear triad capabilities to maintain deterrence.
Accordingly, Mike Rogers (Republican from Alabama), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, stated: “The treaty expires in 2026, and the prospect of Russia coming to the table to seriously discuss arms control is incredibly unlikely […] We need to be prepared to face a nuclear environment without the constraints of any treaty.”
Initially, the U.S legislators’ proposal would involve the USAF beginning work on about 30 B-52H bombers to restore their nuclear attack capabilities, starting just a month after the current START treaty expires (ratified in 2010) and aiming to complete by 2029. Moreover, these aircraft would require extensive modernization efforts to extend their operational life at least until 2050.
The substantial investment required for this has sparked criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who also argue about the negative signal it sends internationally, potentially complicating future negotiations for a renewed START treaty. Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat, remarked: “The Department of Defense is not interested in doing this […] What they’re interested in is investing in the B-21, the next-generation nuclear-capable bomber. This would cost a lot of money. Additionally, they are currently trying to extend the lifespan of several B-52s until 2050, which they believe they can do. This would be an additional expense on top of that.”
It’s important to note that the USAF currently operates approximately 76 B-52 bombers, which entered service during the 1960s at the height of the Cold War, becoming the primary aerial platform of the country’s nuclear triad. Nuclear capabilities began to be phased out from these bombers in 2015, as the New START treaty mandated reductions in deployable warheads, making it unnecessary to maintain about 30 B-52s. Should the U.S legislative proposal proceed, the B-52 fleet would return to active nuclear duty, potentially alongside the new B-21 Raider.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
You may also like: ZM at Eurosatory – The U.S. Army showcases its main combat vehicles
